At just 17, Long Bay College (LBC) student Carla Anderson is already building an impressive creative life – balancing music, theatre, and volunteering with a true generosity of spirit.
Carla’s recent performance highlights already read like those of a seasoned professional. In the last few months of 2025, she performed Mahler’s Symphony No.3 with the Auckland Philharmonia at Auckland Town Hall and appeared on Dan on the Edge breakfast show for the Hit the Spot Wicked edition with Stimmung Choir. She also performed the National Anthem to open LBC’s academic awards ceremony at the Bruce Mason Centre.
At LBC, Carla studies music and drama, and plays a very active role in the school’s performing arts community. She sings with the school’s jazz ensemble (Big Band), and credits this with deepening her understanding of music as storytelling. “That’s where I really learnt how music with no lyrics can still share a story and a feeling,” she says.
She also warmly acknowledges two members of staff: former head of music, Rhianna Maker (who recommended she join the massed choir) and Jackson Kyle, who runs Big Band. “He always shows such a strong passion for all types of music and, above all else, jazz. He is the one person who can say they listen to all types of music and actually mean it! And he knows the artists to prove it. His love for jazz is contagious, and I’ve definitely caught it.”
Carla also holds multiple leadership roles at school, including choir leader, costume mistress, and peer support leader. She will soon take to the stage again when she appears as Katherine Blake, the mum in Freaky Friday – The Musical, opening at Long Bay College in late March.
Her creative work extends well beyond the school gates. Carla is a member of Auckland Youth Choir and National Youth Theatre, where she played Aunt Em in The Wizard of Oz at the Aotea Centre in November. In April 2025, she sang at the ANZAC Day services in Browns Bay — an honour that she hopes to repeat this year.
While singing is her first love, Carla’s passion for theatre also shows in her work behind the scenes. Her costume design for Puck from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featuring a hand-made wire half-face mask, won first place at the SGCNZ National Shakespeare Costume Design Competition. “I am definitely planning a new design for the 2026 event!”
Commitment beyond the stage
Alongside her creative pursuits, volunteering plays a huge role in Carla’s life. As a member of the Student Volunteer Army, she has contributed more than 440 hours of service to the community over the past two years. She received the Silver Award in February 2025 and is on track to achieve the Gold Award (for 500 hours’ service) in May 2026.
Much of Carla’s volunteer work has combined her love of theatre with practical skill-building. She has logged hours creating and fitting costumes for Shakespeare in the Park productions, including The Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet, as well as supporting local theatre companies, CentreStage in Orewa, and LBC’s costume department.
She is also an active member of Shore Junction’s Youth Engagement Group, which provides a youth voice in decision-making and helps organise events such as band nights, quiz nights, and art shows. “I’ve learnt so many new skills through volunteering, like improving my sewing and being part of a committee,” Carla explains. “I’ve met so many inspiring people who love what they do, and it makes me feel part of a team.”
Recently, Carla was named LBC’s Top Volunteer. Presented to only one student at each school participating in the SVA Service Award, it recognises outstanding leadership and contribution within the school community. By the time you read this, Carla will have added another experience to her growing CV: volunteering with New Zealand Opera.
Looking ahead, Carla hopes to continue expanding her musical horizons, including singing in the invitational choir for Ihi. Wehi. Mana., a celebratory Auckland Arts Festival event that brings together waiata, te reo Māori and vocal talent in a powerful expression of cultural connection.
Help raise the curtain on Carla’s international musical journey
Carla has been selected for the 2025/26 New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir (NZSSC), the national choir for singers aged 13 to 18. With only 56 members chosen from across the country, the programme is extremely competitive and offers a rare opportunity for young singers to develop their skills at the highest level. This exciting (and possibly daunting) two-year experience culminates in an international tour to Hong Kong and Singapore in June this year.
But an amazing experience like this doesn’t come cheap. Carla has to raise $5,500 to cover costs, which is why she’s set up a Givealittle page.
